Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com is reporting that Terry Francona and the Red Sox are expected to mutually part ways tomorrow, as the club forgoes the final two option years on his contract. Here's what Rosenthal had to say:
Terry Francona will meet with Red Sox management on Friday morning, and the expected resolution is that he no longer will be the team’s manager, major league sources say.Source: FoxSports.com
While Francona’s departure is not certain, it is the likely outcome, in part because he is pressing for a resolution, sources say. He would not be fired; the Red Sox would simply decline their club options on him for 2012 and ’13.
At that point, Francona would be free to pursue long-term contracts with other clubs. The White Sox’s position currently is open, and Francona managed five seasons in their minor-league system in the early 1990s.
The Cubs could be another possibility for Francona once they hire a new general manager and proceed with the expected dismissal of manager Mike Quade. Francona played for the Cubs in 1986.
Rosenthal immediately suggests that the White Sox job could be a landing place for Tito, but let's be honest. The only advantage the Sox have at landing Francona is that they have a GM in place, in Kenny Williams. If Williams acts quickly, they have a de facto free shot at him. If not? Well, you would imagine that Theo Epstein, Andrew Friedman,
Plus, can you imagine the pedestal Francona would be on if he won with not only the Red Sox, but the Red Sox AND the Cubs? He'd be untouchable. Not saying that's what would happen if he came to Chicago, but it's what every manager, GM and player comes to Wrigley for. It's that egotistical shot at immortality that brought Dusty and Lou. Maybe the third time's a charm?
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